Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is known to take all important decisions himself and closely monitor even the smallest issues in his government, has now claimed that he was unaware of the controversial AI-generated video shared from his social media handle.
But now serious questions are being raised. Who cleared the AI video? How can a prime minister who controls every aspect of governance claim ignorance after sharing it? How could such a sensitive and provocative post be uploaded and shared without his knowledge?
The AI-generated video showed CM Sarma seemingly shooting a framed photo of a Muslim. The words “No Mercy” were written on the wall behind the photo. The post was captioned: “Close range shot.”
One of the framed images showed Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi wearing a skull cap. Another photo showed a Muslim man wearing traditional clothing. The video was first uploaded by the Assam BJP and later shared on Sarma’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle. It was removed after a large-scale riot.
Opposition parties called it a “call for genocide” and accused the prime minister of fomenting communal hatred. Civil society groups said this was dangerous and irresponsible, especially as it came from constitutional authorities.
Multiple complaints have been filed against Chief Minister Sarma in several states. Several petitions were also filed in the Supreme Court over the alleged community remarks and controversial videos. The Supreme Court reportedly granted the petition for a hearing.
Twelve social activists filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court. CPI and CPI(M) filed separate petitions. A group of four prominent citizens of Assam, led by eminent intellectual Hiren Gohain, also moved the Supreme Court seeking action against Sarma.
According to reports, it was the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership that asked the Assam unit to delete the controversial video which has brought shame to the nation. Following these directions, the Bharatiya Janata Party Assam has suspended social media team co-convener Ron Bikash Gaurav. Hours after his ouster, Gaurav thanked the “right-wing community” for standing “by him like a wall of strength”.
This controversy has also become international. The video was posted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra flagged the video to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding X and demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Modi.
In a recent interview on state television, Sarma said he did not know the video was shared from his account. His statements have drawn increasing criticism.
The prime minister has long projected himself as a leader who knows everything about what’s going on within his government and party. He personally announces decisions, monitors departments and comments on even the smallest political developments.
Given this image of total control, his claim of ignorance raised questions. Was the video really shared without his knowledge or is this denial part of damage control in the wake of public outrage and reported interference from the BJP central leadership?
